EXPLANATIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 179, 24 April 1919, Page 5

EXPLANATIONS

AWKWARD MOMENT AT THE PEACE TABLE

COMMITMENTS WITH JAPAN

NEWS FOR PRESIDENT WILSON ■

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright New York, April 18. The New York "Times" Paris correspondent sond9 the test of agreements betweon Japan and England, and Japan, France, Italy, and Russia, made in February, 1917, whereby the Powers agTeed to support Japan's claims to tho former German-owned islands in the Pacifio north of. the Equator, and the Japanese claims to Bhantung, while Japan agreed to support Britain's claims to the islands 6outh of the JScjuator. . Britain, in a message to Japan on February 10, 1917, made reference to Japan's desire for an assurance of Britain's support for Japan's claims at the Peace Conference. The British Government, the message said, would accede with 'pleasure to the request to 6iipport Japan's claims regarding the disposal of Germany's rights in Shantung and the islands north of the Equator, it being understood that the Japanese Government _ will treat in the same spirit Britain's claims to the German islands Eouth of the Equator. Japan replied that Britain's attitude was a fresh proof of the close ties uniting the two Powers, and agreed to support Britain's claims. The correspondent says that President Wilson and the Chinese delegates were unaware of tho arrangement when the Peace Conference opened, but when tho question of mandatories wae discussed Mr. Lloyd Georgo said that an arrangement regarding the Pacific islands had already been reached.' There was an Awkward moment when President Wilson asked the nature of the arrangement, which was then explained.

THE ISSUE DISCQSSED. Paris, April 22. Mr. Lloyd Georgo, President Wilson, and M. Clomenceau discussed the .lapanese question. Signor Orlando was absent. MANDATORYWSTINCTIONS AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, AND NEW . ZEALAND. ■ Paris, April 21. The British delegation lias discussed the draft mandates. Tho difference between the New Zenland, Japanese, and Australian mandates is that while all now provide for the absorption of territories in the event of the natives expressing a wish and satisfying the League, the Now' Zealand and Japanese mandates provide for absorption, but will not give tho countries the right to fortify territories, where as tho Australian mandate does not contain this prohibitory provision. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. and Renter.

THE ADRIATIC QUESTION LEAGUE OF NATIONS AIMS PREJUDICED. Washington, April 22. It is known Hint President Wilson refuses to take any action in reference to tho Franco-British alliance. The Italian claims are likely to prejudice the fundamental -principles of the League of Na-tions.—Aue.-N.Z. Cuble Assn. HINT FROM ITALY. • . Paris, April 22. • Th'o Italian delation has allowed it to be known that they do not desire to participate further in'the.Conference unless their demands are granted.—Aus.K.Z. Cable Assn. DEFINITE WITHDRAWAL FROM THE CONFERENCE (Rec. April 23, 11.10 p.m.) London, April 22. -,A. Paris message states that Stenor Orlando will definitely withdraw from the Conference until the Adriatic claims are conceded.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PRESIDENT WILSON'S ATTITUDE. (Rec. April 23, 9.5 p.m.) London, April 16. President Wilson positively refuses to recognise' tho imperialist)) of Italy over Fiume. He says: "America will bo_ no party to ('ho recognition of her claims. Roth Franco and Britain think that Italy should accept a compromise, but Signor Orlando is obdurate."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT. .WILSON. (Rec. April 23,'5.5 p.m.) Washington, April 22. Replying to a cablegram inquiry, President Wilson announced that he would not take any action, either in reference to the Franco-British alliance to protect Franco from I'ntiiro aggression or Italy's Adriatic claims, lost he , should prejudice the League of Nations or bring into condiet its fundamental principles.—Aus.« N.si. Cable Assn. GERMAN CAMPAIGN OF PEACE BLUFFING

" COUP DE THEATRE" FEARED London, April 18. The "Daily Telegraph's" Geneva correspondent learrie from a reliable source that the German Government is determined to continue its policy of bluff and intimidation. A former Entente diplomat from Berlin, where bo interviewed' lending statesmen, is of opinion that the German delegates will either refuse to sign peace or the Governm.mt will resign in consequence of the Military Party's pressure. Either courso will indefinitely postpone peace. Tho indemnities cause most alarm, and Herr SohiffeiV Minister of Finance, resigned because ho refused to consider their acceptance. Hen , Schiffcr said to the informant: "The Entente Powers are powerless to force «s, by military or economic measures, into financial slavery, therefore I do not see why we should nwny our wenltli and liberty for the next twenty or thirty years." '

It appenrs that tho Berlin Cabinet is divided on tho question of the acceptance of the terms. The younger Ministers favour a coup de theatre, and wro obtaining all possible concessions by .an ironical invitaHnn to the Allies to occupy Germany. They argue that occupation is impossible, and that the Allies dare not continue tho blockade for foav of tho spread of "Bolshevism. They also calculate that the Allied Socialists will support Germany's passive resistance. On the other hand, Herr Rnntzail. Count Bernstorff, and Dr. Dernbers advocate olitaininp: all ■ possible concessions by bluff and then accenting tho ternis._ frustiflir that future dovelonments will enable a modification to be made or tho fulfilment of the obligations to be avoided.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' (Hμ. April 23. 9.5 n.m.) London, Anril IC. The German newspapers continue to inveigh ajrainst the sifriiiujt'of any peace terms tlint do not conform to President Wilson's fourteen points. It is b?lievpd that the Gonnans have received a hint that the dilatnriuess over «ißninn pe;io.e will lead tb denunciation of the armistice, leaving Foch to do the rest. "OTRER TIMES, OTIIEB MANNERS" RANTZAU INTERVIEWED. Berlin, April 10.

Herr Rantnau, interviewed by (he "Neue Freio l J resse," deprecated the suggestion that tho Germans should take, advantage or the Entente dissensions. Tho interviewer remarked that the dissensions in the Peace Conference must be very serious.

Rantzau rejoined, "So you are tent on I milking mo play the role'of a Talleyrand at tho preliminary Peace Conference. But things are very different from a hundred years ago. To-dny the peoples themselves take an active part in directing tho course of history. That gives a completely different background l(> the peace negotiations. It would, moreover, bo foolish to attempt to play off one of our enemies against tfie others. Their relations arc eo close that such an attempt would 6oon be disclosed." Ho thought it would be worthier for a nation of seventy million people to convince all its enemies openly und straightforwardly that it was justice for which 6he was. striving, rather than, by descending to paltry intrigues, to fill with fresh explosives a political atmosphere which was still poisoned by tho effects oV war propaganda. He added that Germany and the whole world had received such severe wounds in tho past four years that all were interested in the healing process working as smoothly as possible. "Especially in the- matter of the world's economic recovery our enemies must be as 1 much concerned as we are. We should retain our ability to meet our obligations, because in our , future commercial relations we shall be dealing with contractors on whose solidarity we can rely. So many mutual interests are involved affecting all the participants in tho iinal peace discussions that, provided there is n certain amount of goodwill, a basis is afforded for an honast understanding, which, to us, means a peace of justice."—Aus.-N.Z. Cnble Assn. and Keuter.

THE GERMAN DELEGATION (Eec. April 23, 8 p.m.) Paris, April 22. Marshal Fooh has received a German Note announcing that Brockdorf, Lansberg, and Giespert, Ministers, and Leinert, President of the Prussian Assembly, with Professor Schiiekling, have been 'uppointed plenipotentiaries. They will arrive at Versailles on April 28, accompanied by a etaff of seventy-five—United Service. THEIR ARRIVAL AT VERSAILLES. Paris, April 22. Hcrr Brockdorff-Rantxau (German Foreign Minister), accompanied by six high personages, will reach Versailles on April 28.—Aue.-N.Z. Cable Assn. EXTRAORDINARY'CLAIMS. London, April 1!). . The "Frankfort Gazette" states that the German delegates are formulating claims against the Entente for compensation for their air raids and expenses incurred owing to the delays in the conclusion, of peace and tho prolongation of the blockade.—Au?.-N.Z. Cable Aesn. FULL TEXT OF TREATY READY. (R«c. April 23, 5.5 p.iHT> Washington, April 23. The full text of the Peace Treaty has arrived. It is assumed that publication will take place immediately on the presentation to the original German envoys. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. / PEACE TREATY COPIES CIRCULATED. (Ree. April 23, 11.10 p.m.) London, April "S^ The full text of tho Peace Treaty h:is arrived here. It is assumed that it will be available for publication immediately on the"ipresentation of the original in the German envoys.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ,

GALLIPOLI WAR GRAVES CLAUSE IN TURKISH TREATY. London, April 22. Official: It is practically certain that tho peace treaty with Turkey will include. d clause ensuring, the British ownership and permanent care of tho graves on Gallipoli. This question has been consistently advocated at sessions of the Imperial War Cabinet by Mr. Massey, who, while he has been in' Paris, lias also had' many interviews on tho subject with Mr. Balfour, Lord Milner, and tho 'drafting experts. Tho clause as nov,' drafted provides for the ownership of certain land to be transferred in perpetuity to the British Government in order that it may be set apart and maintained as a cemetery and memorial for Hio soldiers who fell in tho Gallipoli campaign. The Turkish Government inust, within six months after the treaty operates, vest the exclusive .title in the British Government, who will be entitled to transfer it to the Imperial Graves Commission, or some other organisation, with full rights to make any improvements. The land is to l>o free from any form of Turkish taxation, and free access is to be given to British officials and any person's who de.siro to visit the cemetery, fruhject to these limitations, Turkish sovereignty over the land will remain unimpaired; but the Ottoman Government will at all times prevent tho violation of the rights and desecration of the graves. Numerous meetings with tho British Emnire delegation are now being held to deal with peace trsaty matters.— Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn. war crimeslndictment A VOLUMINOUS REPORT. (Rec. April 23, 0.5 p.m.) , Paris, April 22. Ths Punishment for War Crimes Commission's report, which covers sixty-nine pages, has- been circulated among the Conference delegates.—Aue.-N.Z. CableAssn.